NSERC Discovery Grant – Full Application
Arctic and Northern Regions
Environment, Energy and Natural Resources
Information and Communication Technology
Oceans, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Well-being, Health and Biomedical Discovery
Deadlines
Academic Unit: Inquire with unit
Memorial Deadline: RIS Review not required
External Deadline: Monday 2nd, November 2026
Description
Academic Units with both an Associate Dean of Research (ADR) and a unit Grants Facilitation Officer (GFO) are assuming the responsibility for institutional review and electronic submission of applications for the CIHR Project, SSHRC Insight, SSHRC Insight Development, and NSERC Discovery and RTI Grants competitions. Research Initiatives & Services will no longer be completing the electronic submission for these grants in units with both an ADR and GFO. For units without both an ADR and GFO, Research Initiatives & Services will review and approve applications following the same process as other Tri-Agency programs. If you are intending on applying to any of these competitions, please contact your Grants Facilitation Officer, Associate Dean (Research) or Research Initiatives & Services to obtain information on deadlines and processes for institutional review and electronic submission for your unit.
The Discovery Grants program supports the development and sustainability of a diverse, high-quality research base in the natural sciences and engineering (NSE) at Canadian universities, fosters research excellence and strengthens the research training environment.
To apply for a DG, applicants must first submit a notification of intent to apply (NOI) by the deadline date. The NOI is a mandatory step in the application process. Applicants who do not submit an NOI will not be able to submit a full application. The information contained in the NOI allows NSERC to start some aspects of the review process, including the preliminary assignment to an evaluation group, the selection of external reviewers, and the verification of the eligibility of the subject matter. Applicants must then complete and submit the application by the full application deadline date.
See here for more information: Discovery Grants program (individual)
Application deadline
- NOI application:
Opens: May 1, 2026 8:00 am (ET)
Deadline: August 4, 2026 8:00 pm (ET)
- Full application:
Opens: August 12, 2026 8:00 am (ET)
Deadline: November 2, 2026 8:00 pm (ET)